City park smoking ban considered in Atlanta

The Associated Press

POSTED:July 9, 2012 10:36 p.m.

ATLANTA — Atlanta officials are set to consider banning smoking in city parks.

City Councilwoman Joyce Sheperd, a co-sponsor of the legislation, tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution it took a while for the parks department to convince her the ban is a good idea. But seeing adults smoking near kids at a park and widespread smoking during a festival in Piedmont Park changed her mind.

Smoking bans have been considered by many municipalities in recent years, but they’re not without controversy.

Mayor Kasim Reed supports the proposed ban. But city officials acknowledge there could be vigorous debate.

A city council committee is set to consider the ordinance Tuesday. If the committee approves it, it would then need approval from the full city council and be signed by Reed to become law.